The Mount Mercy women's basketball team has staged some nice rallies in Heart of America Conference games this season and had a few near-misses, but the Mustangs kept falling short in league outings.

That ended Saturday.

Mount Mercy scored 28 points in the final quarter and defeated Peru State, 72-65, for their first victory in the Heart of America after eight straight defeats.

"It feels good, more-so for the girls than anything," said Coach Micha Mims. "It's been a grind. They've been working hard and their hard work is finally paying off.

"To see it go in the record books as a victory is what really matters for them."

The Mustangs (5-10, 1-8) prevailed despite playing short-handed. Brianna Thomas, the team's leading scorer, did not participate in the game. And Audrey Mulumba, who led Mount Mercy with 16 points Saturday, did not play in the final 6 minutes, 17 seconds due to a leg ailment.

"A complete team effort, from our starters through our bench," said Mims. "Our starters and reserves are finding a way to help each other and pick each other up.

"We were solid today on both ends of the court."

The Mustangs have lost three Heart of America Conference games by 5 points, 4 points and 4 points, but this time they found a way to win a competitive game.

Peru State (2-11, 1-8) has also struggled this season, and Saturday's game was a battle of the teams at the bottom of the standings.

The game was tied, 44-44, after three quarters. Mulumba hit a 3-pointer and Chelsey Lampe followed with another triple to give the Mustangs a 50-44 advantage. They never trailed again, although it was still a five-game game at 58-53 with 3:25 left with Mulumba and Thomas both sitting on the bench.

Lampe scored to make it 60-53, then Lakin Goodman drilled a 3-pointer for a 10-point advantage at 63-53. Lampe cashed two free throws with 1:13 left for a 12-point cushion at 66-54, their biggest lead of the day.

"Our team motto right now is 'Be Able,'" said Mims. "It's attitude, body language, effort. That's something we preach every day in practice. Controlling what you can control."

Peru State led by 12 points in the first quarter, but the Mustangs rallied for a 31-30 lead at intermission.

Sarah Moffett, Sharice Kawakami and Lampe all scored 12 points for Mount Mercy. Alyssa Marsh-Contreras scored 21 points for Peru State.

PERU STATE (65): Silva 7 3-5 17, Alcantara 1 0-0 3, Cudney 6 1-4 13, Maeda 4 0-0 11, Marsh-Contreras 6 9-10 21, Tichy 0 0-0 0, Simms 0 0-0 0, Bruning 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 13-19 65.

MOUNT MERCY (72): Moffett 4 4-5 12, Kawakami 4 3-4 12, Goodman 1 3-4 6, Lampe 4 2-6 12, Mulumba 7 0-0 16, Kitterman 0 0-0 0, Sheck 0 0-0 0, LeGrand 2 0-0 5, Brown 3 2-4 9. Totals 25 14-23 72.

Halftime - Mount Mercy 31, Peru State 30. 3-point goals - Peru State 4 (Maeda 3, Alcantara 1), Mount Mercy 8 (Lampe 2, Mulumba 2, Kawakami 1, Goodman 1, LeGrand 1, Brown 1).